While the news for Officer Colvin Georges since he was shot on May 26 has generally not been good, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is trying to bring some good news to his family as he struggles for life in a Florida hospital.
The injuries Georges sustained in the line of duty have kept him hospitalized for two months and reports are that he is at least partially paralyzed. He has been sustained by the caring, concern and visits of family and community members as well as his fellow officers and staff of the V.I. Police Department.
A grant of approximately $1,500 from the V.I. 100 Club is being given to the family to help with travel expenses to Florida. His daughter will travel from St. Thomas and his brother from North Carolina.
The V.I. 100 Club was created in 2005 by a concerned group of CFVI businessmen committed to keeping the community safe and supporting those officers who protect it.
In February of 2007, the V.I. 100 Club made a contribution to the family of Officer Ariel Frett who was killed in the line of duty on St. Thomas. In January 2008, a donation of $3,000 was made to the family of Officer Akeem Basil Newton who was killed on St. Croix.
The club has also assisted the Police Department with relocation expenses for officers recruited from off-island and with the purchase of life protecting equipment. In the summer of 2011, the fund
made a donation to the VIPD Cadet Program when the department was not able to meet its sponsorship commitment to the young cadets.
Founding members William Graham, James Gallivan and Hurdle “Trip” Lea have issued a joint statement regarding this recent donation. “We are honored to be able to assist the family of this
hero who put his life on the line for the safety of the rest of us.”
“Being able to assist Officer Georges and his family has been a wonderful team effort for us at the Community Foundation,” said Dee Beeacher-Brown, CFVI president. “It is a reminder of how fortunate we all are to live in such a caring, small community, where neighbors reach out to help neighbors.”
Beeacher-Brown said that when details of Georges’ injuries became public, donors stepped up and asked how they could help. “Because of the vision of the original founders of the V.I. 100 Club Fund back in 2005, there was an existing vehicle to help at CFVI. We were able to respond to the family’s request within 24 hours.”
“The reason CFVI can do all of this our angel donors,” she added, “so I hope you’ll let me say a special word of appreciation to CFVI Angel donors for their support.”
For more information about CFVI or to make a donation to the V.I. 100 Club, visit www.cfvi.net or call the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands at 774-6031.
